22nd March 2023

While many transport operators use their trailers to promote various products and services, few carry a more important message than this triaxle reefer belonging to long-standing Scania Financial Services customer, Washington-based Hawthorns Logistics Limited.  That’s because it not only raises awareness for organ donation it also focuses specifically on the need for organs to be donated for children, where there is a desperate shortfall every year.

The statistics tell the sad story: While there are currently 200 children requiring a life-saving transplant, for the past decade there have only been an average of 50 child donors per year.  This is due in part to the consent rate of parents asked to donate their child’s organs being just 51 percent, compared to around 70 percent among the adult population.  Although every parent will appreciate this is an extremely difficult subject to confront, the stark reality is that many waiting children simply will not receive a transplant in time – hence the pressing need to highlight the matter as far and wide as possible.

“The issue of child organ donation was initially brought to my attention by my daughter who told us about a local child, Beatrix, who is in urgent need of a new heart,” says Hawthorn’s Logistics’ Director, Chris Kilsby, who runs the firm together with his wife Alison.  “It’s a tragic case – in May 2022 Beatrix’s heart failed, apparently due to a virus.  After surgery she suffered cardiac arrest and is now permanently in hospital, kept alive by a device known as a Berlin Heart.  But that can’t continue forever; her only hope of life is a heart transplant.

“Obviously, we all hope we never have to consider it, but I understand parents are more likely to consent to the donation of a child’s organs if they have discussed the matter in advance.  That’s why we decided on the Lifesaver livery for our new trailer.  It’s now running up and down the East Coast delivering to supermarkets throughout the region and we hope this visibility will raise awareness and encourage people to think about child organ donation should the worst happen to their family.”

Hawthorn Logistics Limited and Scania Financial Services

Hawthorn Logistics Logistics, which was founded in 2009, enjoys a close working partnership with Scania Financial Services.  

“We use Scania Financial Services for pretty much everything, financing all our equipment on four or five year hire purchase agreements with them,” says Chris Kilsby.  “Over the years, they have funded our trucks – we currently have 22 Scanias, plus a number of other makes which they have also funded – and our trailers.  Most recently, they helped us acquire 20 new Chereau reefers, including the Lifesaver trailer.

“The reasons we stick with Scania Financial Services are, one, because we have an excellent relationship with our local Sales Manager Vicky Wolanin, and two, because they are there for us with the best deal every time.  We always compare the market and I know that Scania Financial Services are normally the best on the Scania product.  Regarding other trucks and trailers, they always manage to sort the deal out, which is great in terms of convenience – it makes life very easy for us.”

Further information

For information on organ donation, please visit: NHS Organ Donation

If you would like to make a donation to a charity supporting Beatrix, please visit: Red Sky Foundation